New Adventures in Cake

So today has been busy busy -- I woke up and made the bed because I didn't have time to think about it later today - hit the floor running.

I am helping a friend make two little flower girl dresses for a wedding this weekend, spent most of the day putting those together.  I had forgotten what it was like to sew for little ones - kind of fun!

Then I made a co-op pickup run and went into Earth Fare to pick up some foreign ingredients -- well foreign to my kitchen at least.  Xantham Gum and egg replacer.  I am embarking on an adventure tomorrow -- making my first vegan cake.  I am also making the cake for this wedding and it will be vegan - frosting included!!  So to figure out how it's going to work, tomorrow is a test run in a smaller size.  I'm hoping it's dense enough to hold the weight of fondant - it's 3 tall tiers, so we'll see.  I also have never covered a square cake in fondant, so we're giving that a go as well tomorrow -- we'll maybe Wednesday -- tomorrow will be spent working on the dresses some more!!

Wow -- sounds like another busy day -- guess I better get some sleep!

But before I do -- Kevin and I had a culinary adventure for supper.  While at Earth Fare we hit up the deli counter and he got the New Year's Salad -- it's kale with black eyed peas, roasted garlic, red pepper flakes and some dressing.  Came up and I whipped up a simple mozzarella, tomato and basil salad and then tried a red pepper dip.  We had also picked up some crusty bread while in town. 

Used this recipe as inspiration - Roasted Red Pepper Dip.  I didn't follow it exactly --I left out the onion, garlic and parmesan (it triggers migraines for Kevin) and didn't measure anything!! It actually reminded me a lot of the pimento cheese that I make, except that it was hot and bubbly.  Really good on the crusty bread.  I think I will be making it again, but adding a little sour cream and using about half the cheese.  I also think grating some onion and garlic into it would cut the cheesiness of it.  It was pretty rich.  Plus we were in a hurry and I think it would do better to bake a little longer.  It would also taste good if you were to throw in some artichokes or some green chile.  Yummy!